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McCoy’s MNF Moment

October 27th’s Monday Night Football game was more than a close contest which involved one of the games greatest rivalries. It was more than the 6-1 Cowboys playing host to an underwhelming Redskins team. And it was more than a 3rd string quarterback starting against “America’s Team,” – or was it? The Redskins third string quarterback Colt McCoy received the start due to the benching of back-up Kirk Cousins in the previous week, who was keeping the seat warm until Robert Griffin III returned from injury. McCoy hadn’t started a game in 3 years but McCoy is a different breed of “third string quarterback.” Colt McCoy was once the pride of the state of Texas. He was selected to Texas’ All-State first team as a high school football player and he who found his way to the University of Texas where his legend had been cemented. Before McCoy finished his collegiate career at Texas, he accounted for over 30 of the school’s passing and total offensive records. He also set NCAA records which included “highest completion percentage in a season (76.7%)” and tied the record for “most touchdown passes thrown by a freshman (29).” The 2010 BCS National Championship game was supposed to be the storybook ending to his collegiate career, but things went sour quickly. McCoy sustained a shoulder injury early in the game, forcing him to watch his team lose to Alabama 37-21. Colt was dealt a pretty raw deal when entering the draft as NFL pundits questioned his arm strength, size and just how healthy he would be come draft time. For all the talk that associates quarterbacks with wins – a kid who was seemingly allergic to losing, was about to get the short end of the stick. Colt found himself drafted in the third round by the Cleveland Browns. For a kid who had known nothing but success at a prestigious university he was in for a rude awakening in Cleveland. McCoy had some flashes, but mostly struggled while in Cleveland as it was a team lacking much talent or much of an identity. While at Cleveland, McCoy’s completion percentage was below 60% and had a quarterback rating of 74%. This was a far cry from what the world remembered out of the two time Heisman Trophy candidate. in 2013 the Browns traded McCoy to San Francisco where McCoy recorded one pass, for one completion, for 13 yards. That brings us to Monday Night. For a kid who’s glory days of playing high school and college football in the state of Texas — playing in prime time, against the Dallas Cowboys – this was going to be the biggest moment in his professional career. The Redskins (who entered the game as a nine point underdog ) put up a fight most didnt think they would muster. Colt McCoy at times looked a bit flustered and did throw a poor interception in the first half, but by Halftime the Redskins were only down. 7-3. The second half showed the Colt McCoy of old. The Colt McCoy that ruled the state of Texas. McCoy put his head down and ran a gutsy 7 yard touchdown to put his team up 17-10 in the fourth quarter. He was greeted with excitement by his fellow teammates in the end zone who seemed happier than he was about the score. Moments after the dramatic run, McCoy’s jubilation may have turned to nerves as he played off the moment with a poker-face on the sideline. When the game went into overtime, McCoy outdid the showing of “grit” on his run, but escaping a Dallas pass rush and scrambling to the left. While on the run, McCoy spotted tight end Jordan Reed and directed him to run into a fade route. What resulted from that, was a beautiful touch pass from McCoy received by Reed who showed off his acrobatic like balance along the sidelines to make the catch. In short, McCoy was able to put the Redskins in position for the game winning field goal. Sure, he had to wait and see his defense do their job and stop Dallas from scoring any points on their next drive – but a win is a win, and for Colt McCoy it felt as good as a winning touchdown pass in the final play of the game. With Robert Griffin III rumored to return next week, maybe this will be the end of McCoy’s story. Then again, he is backing up a quarterback who, for all things considered, is injury prone – so maybe all is not over for McCoy. In two games, McCoy has completed 85% of his passes for an average of 10 yards a clip. No need to draw up a quarterback controversy – RG3 is the Redskins’ man, but this is Colt McCoy’s moment. G.W. Gras twitter @GeeSteelio